It’s been slipping under the radar so far, but Rangers’ away record under Steven Gerrard needs to improve.
With talk of a title-challenge getting serious, it’s important that one issue gets addressed. Rangers have now went three away games in the Premiership this season without a win. Draws against Aberdeen and Motherwell have been followed up with a defeat at Celtic.
The 2-2 draw at Villarreal remains a big confidence booster, but Rangers have won just one of eight away matches this season.
Like it or not, championship winners have better form away from home than that. It’s been a slow start to the season away from Ibrox, and that stat simply has to improve.
Granted, some of those matches actually didn’t need winning. Shkupi, Osijek, Maribor, and Ufa all had Rangers winning ties heading into those matches. Rangers took a defensive approach in Europe to try and preserve the advantages they held, and this was the right thing to do.
No Excuses
There’s been no excuses for the Motherwell, Aberdeen, and Celtic games however. All three of those results just aren’t good enough if Rangers are to be serious contenders this season.
Gerrard won’t win every game this season, but it’s important he finds a good amount of them. He’s already turning Ibrox into a fortress already. No defeats in seven competitive matches there is a positive stat for him going forward.
But away from home, things have to change. Rangers have looked far too open at times away from Ibrox, and the defence has conceded cheap goals. Gerrard experimented with a three at the back against Motherwell that didn’t work. Meanwhile, it could’ve been a lot more than one at Parkhead.
It’s important that everyone at the club, including supporters, acknowledges what’s required to take the title. Consistently poor away results won’t do it, regardless of how good form is at Ibrox. One win in eight certainly isn’t what’s required either.
Rangers will take a trip to Livingston this weekend. Nothing other than a win will be enough as Gerrard looks to improve what’s been a poor away record so far.
